Elderly Bicyclist Dies after Riverside Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Fred Walsh, 91, died the night of May 24, 2011 from injuries sustained in a Riverside car accident a week ago. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise the bicycle accident occurred near the intersection of California Avenue and Rucker Lane in a residential neighborhood. Officials say Walsh’s bicycle was hit by a mid-size pickup truck. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Fred Walsh for their heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Riverside Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 70 injuries as a result of bicycle accidents in Riverside. Also, in Riverside County as a whole, nine people died and 362 were injured due to bicycle accidents during the same year.What Caused This Fatal Accident?

Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why this fatal bicycle accident occurred. Under California law, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of other vehicles. For example, bicyclists are required to yield right-of-way to oncoming vehicles. Similarly, a motorist making a left turn at a street intersection, for example, must yield to an oncoming bicycle that has the right-of-way.

In this particular case, there are a number of unanswered question. Where was the elderly bicyclist crossing the road? How fast was the motorist driving on the residential street? Was the driver going above the speed limit? Why was he or she unable to stop in time to avoid the collision? Was there a dangerous condition on that street which may have caused or contributed to the accident? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Fault and Liability

If the driver is determined to have been at fault, he or she could be held liable for Walsh’s wrongful death. In such cases, the deceased victim’s family can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pension and benefits, loss of companionship and other damages.

An experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer will also be able to determine whether a hazardous roadway caused or contributed to the incident. If that was the case, the governmental entity responsible for maintaining the roadway could be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a public entity must be properly filed within six months of the incident.

Lost a family member in a Riverside County bicycle accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Riverside car accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys Riverside wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.

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